Battle Report to the Army of the Potomac
To: Colonel Al Hartman & Personnel of North Florida Artillery
From: Lt. Col. Jeffrey E. Cushing Date: March 20, 2014
Battle Report for: Battle of Williston
Col. Hartman, Sir as you know we received orders to march to Williston in support of Col. Munson and 4th Brigade to suppress Confederate activities in that area. We began our march to Williston on the 14th at about 12:30pm. We arrived in Williston to find that Corp. H.Q. had redirected Col. Munson’s 4th Brigade to Jacksonville. He left us 3 companies of his infantry to support this action. He moved his main body of troops by railroad to Jacksonville. But we had 8 guns report for this duty. We set up camp and because you were the highest ranking officer on the field. We became Federal H.Q. The center of activity in the area was around the railroad track that ran through the town of Williston at the Kirby Farm. Control of this track was wanted by both sides. Reports of the Confederate strength did not existwhen we arrived. Saturday Morning we had Colors at 9:00am. We still had little information about what faced us. But we took the side of defense and found a strong line for the guns to be placed. With the flanks protected, that we could control the use of the railroad. Which if the railroad was to be used we would have to be moved from our position. This meant the Confederates would have to attack us. This gave us a better chance with our limited resources. But with the large open area we were in, gave us the advantage to balance the odds. We did not have any activity until around 1: oopm. Confederates appeared in the distance about a mile away. 2 Regiments of infantry appeared with 4cannons. We did our responsibly to locate ranges of different points on the field and elevation. The Confederates had to march up hill on a long slope to get to us. We were elevated about 20ft. above them. Our 3 companies of infantry were dug in along our front in between the gun placements. We had the guns in readouts to protect the crews as much as possible. We had sent a message to see if reinforcements were available. The Confederates were forming in line of battle in our front. We let them form and start their advance. The Cannons started with light bombardment to test the ranges. The ranges were accurate and we started with fused case shot. 4of our guns were assigned to counter battery fire. This caused damage to the ranks, but they kept coming. We engaged with them more heatedly. At about 1600 yards we began with canister. The guns working the counter battery fire was also working hard with some success. They had silenced 2 of the guns of the Confederates. The canister was doing its work on the infantry. There were holes in the line of infantry. When the infantry got within 8oo yards of our line we went to double canister. Our infantry got involved in the fight also. The Confederates looked like they were walking through a hail storm. By the time they reached about 600 yards they broke and retreated. We heard the train whistle blowing in the distance. We looked and saw 3 more companies of Union infantry in line of battle marching toward us. They harassed the Confederates back to their line until they came under too heavy a fire. They returned to our lines and we were glad to see them. We posted guards and returned to camp. Most of our injuries were light in nature. The ladies took care of us and fed us well. The night passed without action from either side. Morning came and we had Colors. We learned that our loses had been light. The infantry had about 15 casualties and the artillery about 8casualties. The morning pasted quietly until the early afternoon. About 1:00pm we received word from our line that there was activity from the Confederate side. We ordered all men to their post. While we were approaching the line we heard the trains whistle again. When we reached our line we witnessed the Confederates receiving reinforcements. It looked like they had another Regiment and 2cannon added to their line. We decided that we needed to hold our line as long as possible. This time the Confederates opened with their artillery. We responded with ours, targeting their guns. But neither side gained any advantage. After about an hour of this the confederate infantry began to move. We repeated the actions of yesterday, but the Confederate were to strong for us to hold back. We retreated in order returning fire as we went. When night fall, we continue our retreat in good order. With no hope of reinforcements we moved out of the area. Col. Munson was unable to help we returned to our area of operations in the northern parts of the state.
Officers & Enlisted Ladies & Civilians
Col. Al Hartman
Lt. Col. Jeffrey Cushing Mrs. Diane Cushing
Sgt. Richard Witt Mrs. Barbara Witt
Sgt. Steve Lassiter
Cpl. Mike Latimer
Pvt. Paul Henderson Mrs. Leslie Henderson
Pvt. Bobby Goodlin Mrs. Karen Goodlin
Pvt. Ce Ce Graham Ms. Bryanna Carson
Pvt. Marty Hurr Mrs. Stephanie Hurr
Pvt. Shawn Hurr Ms. Meagan Bertrand
Pvt. Glen Berman
Pvt. Rhett Berman
Pvt. Mark Henderson Mrs. Tory Henderson
I respectfully submit this report for your approval. To have it added to the battle history of this battery.
You’reFellow Servant in Arms,
Lt. Col.Jeffrey E. Cushing